[2] During his rule the land of the present-day city of Bishkek was annexed to the Khanate and expanded construction projects on the Chu River.
His regent Alimqul controlled many affairs of the Khanate and was to some extent its de facto ruler.
[1][3] The British under Earl Canning established contact and friendly relations with Muhammad Malla via the Kabuli pundit Abdul Mejid in 1860.
As Kokand gradually expanded their dominion north into the area occupied by Kazakhs subject and to Tokmak, and others that had already occupied, relations with Russia further deteriorated into an all out war.
[1][3] Dissatisfaction with high taxes and Alimqul's hostility towards the population of Kokand led to Malla-Khan's overthrow and assassination, and replacement by Shah Murad Khan.